IT will be the first time they've played at WIN Stadium but the Waratahs clash with the Chiefs in Wollongong next season will be very much a 'home' game according to NSW Rugby general manager Tim Rapp. Rapp visited WIN Stadium on Wednesday a day after confirming the Waratahs will bring their home clash with the two-time Super Rugby champion Chiefs to Wollongong in March. It's part of the club's effort to extend its reach beyond its traditional Sydney home during the two-year knockdown and rebuild of Allianz Stadium. The Tahs have played in front of dwindling crowds at the SCG and Bankwest Stadium, and Rapp said shifting games to the regional areas makes sense for a franchise that represents the entire state. "We're really excited about bringing a game here to WIN Stadium, it's the first time we've brought a Super Rugby fixture to a ground like this before," Rapp said. "We've obviously got an opportunity with the [Allianz] Stadium rebuild at the present moment to use this time and take it across NSW Country - not just here in Wollongong. "We went to Newcastle last year as well and we'll continue to take our game to the people and make sure everyone in NSW gets to see the Waratahs play. "Obviously we have wonderful support around Sydney as well but NSW Waratahs is a state-based team and this is our opportunity to take the game to them as opposed to always being in Sydney." Wollongong-born Tahs back-rower Jed Holloway certainly hopes it's not a one-off having been a product of Country rugby, starting his career with Woonona Shamrocks before shifting to Yamba on the North Coast. The Shamrocks will take on Avondale in Sunday's Illawarra Rugby Union grand final, with the Country Eagles' NRC clash with Fiji Drua the curtain-raiser. Holloway made no secret of who he'll be barracking for. "There's been a lot of chat in our family, my old man used to do a lot of coaching for the Shamrocks and he lets it be known that he's won three third grade championships," Holloway said. "I played Walla-Rugby with Shamrocks and then under 8's, 9's and 10's and before we took off up to Yamba. "My old man never lets me forget the Shamrocks and they're very excited this [Super Rugby] game's happening down here and we're reaching out into these regions with the Waratahs. "I have no doubt the growing support for rugby down here will get a good turnout. If we can show the good side of rugby, hopefully we can get people wanting their kids to play. "That's how I grew up, it's the game I grew up loving and that's the message I want to spread."

IT will be the first time they've played at WIN Stadium but the Waratahs clash with the Chiefs in Wollongong next season will be very much a 'home' game according to NSW Rugby general manager Tim Rapp.

Rapp visited WIN Stadium on Wednesday a day after confirming the Waratahs will bring their home clash with the two-time Super Rugby champion Chiefs to Wollongong in March.

It's part of the club's effort to extend its reach beyond its traditional Sydney home during the two-year knockdown and rebuild of Allianz Stadium.

The Tahs have played in front of dwindling crowds at the SCG and Bankwest Stadium, and Rapp said shifting games to the regional areas makes sense for a franchise that represents the entire state.

"We're really excited about bringing a game here to WIN Stadium, it's the first time we've brought a Super Rugby fixture to a ground like this before," Rapp said.

"We've obviously got an opportunity with the [Allianz] Stadium rebuild at the present moment to use this time and take it across NSW Country - not just here in Wollongong.

"We went to Newcastle last year as well and we'll continue to take our game to the people and make sure everyone in NSW gets to see the Waratahs play.

"Obviously we have wonderful support around Sydney as well but NSW Waratahs is a state-based team and this is our opportunity to take the game to them as opposed to always being in Sydney."

Wollongong-born Tahs back-rower Jed Holloway certainly hopes it's not a one-off having been a product of Country rugby, starting his career with Woonona Shamrocks before shifting to Yamba on the North Coast.

The Shamrocks will take on Avondale in Sunday's Illawarra Rugby Union grand final, with the Country Eagles' NRC clash with Fiji Drua the curtain-raiser.

Holloway made no secret of who he'll be barracking for.

"There's been a lot of chat in our family, my old man used to do a lot of coaching for the Shamrocks and he lets it be known that he's won three third grade championships," Holloway said.

"I played Walla-Rugby with Shamrocks and then under 8's, 9's and 10's and before we took off up to Yamba.

"My old man never lets me forget the Shamrocks and they're very excited this [Super Rugby] game's happening down here and we're reaching out into these regions with the Waratahs.

"I have no doubt the growing support for rugby down here will get a good turnout. If we can show the good side of rugby, hopefully we can get people wanting their kids to play.

"That's how I grew up, it's the game I grew up loving and that's the message I want to spread."